Stellantis Claims Record First Year with €13.4B Net Profit

Posted on 23 February 2022 by Ken Zino

As a new company formed on 17 January 2021 by the merger of Fiat Chrysler, aka FCA, and Peugeot or PSA, Stellantis today posted what it called record results for 2021 with an adjusted operating margin 11.8% on income of  €18.0 billion and €13.4 Billion ($15.2B) Net Profit on a Pro Forma* basis. Given this, net profit almost tripled year-year-on-year.

“Today’s record results prove that Stellantis is well positioned to deliver strong performance, even in the most uncertain market environments,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO. “I warmly thank all Stellantis employees … for their contribution to building our new company powered by its diversity. I take this opportunity to also thank the management team for their relentless efforts as we faced and overcame intense headwinds. Together, we are focused on executing our plans as we race to become a sustainable mobility tech company,” Tavares concluded. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in financial results | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Toyota Expands Customer Data Use for Insurance Savings

Posted on 23 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Connected Analytic Services, an affiliate of Toyota Insurance Management Solutions USA, has expanded its business with Toyota Motor North America by adding new products for owners of enrolled Toyota vehicles. CAS is Toyota’s exclusive data aggregator, providing telematics and vehicle build data to insurance companies on behalf of Toyota customers who want to use their driving data to receive potential insurance savings.

CAS does business with insurance carriers to provide customers with the ability to use their driving data to price their insurance “more accurately.” Drivers of Toyota vehicles interested in receiving potential insurance savings can opt in to Insure Connect, Toyota’s latest connected service. The company is also focused on creating a future of safer roads and improved driving conditions. (AutoInformed: Toyota and Amazon Web Services Working on Connected Cars, Ridesharing, Driving Behavior-Based Insurance…; Telematics – New Ford and Lincoln Vehicles Enable Insurance Company Monitoring of Your Driving Behaviors; Autonomous Vehicles to Cut Auto Insurance Biz 71% By 2050) Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in connected vehicles, insurance, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA, Louisiana Fine Firestone Polymers for Air Pollution

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino

The United States, together with the State of Louisiana, announced today said that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana has approved a consent decree resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and several other federal and state environmental laws at the Firestone Polymers’ synthetic rubber manufacturing facility in Sulfur, Louisiana. The settlement requires Firestone to install equipment controls to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants, fund ambient air monitoring system upgrades, and pay a total of $3.35 million in civil penalties.

“This settlement requires Firestone to take concrete steps to reduce emissions of air pollutants from its manufacturing facility in Sulfur, Louisiana,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This will result in cleaner air for communities in Southwest Louisiana, particularly for communities that have suffered a historically disproportionate burden from pollution.” Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in environment, litigation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audi of America, Verizon to bring 5G to Vehicle Line

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Audi of America, Verizon to bring 5G to Vehicles

Verizon is also linking with all three major cloud providers.

Verizon and Audi of America today announced an agreement to bring 5G connectivity to the automaker’s U.S. lineup, expected to begin with some models for the 2024 model year. (AutoInformed: GM and AT&T Set Auto Connectivity Goal at 5G)

The deal brings embedded 5G Ultra-Wideband connectivity into Audi vehicles and provides the speed and telecommunication architecture necessary for “highly personalized and augmented mobile services, new driver-assistance features, and connectivity-enabled innovations for the automated future of driving.”
 Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in connected vehicles, electronics, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Responder Network – Big Government at Its Best

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Responder Network - Big Government at Its Best

FirstNet had more than 95% nationwide coverage in just 4 years.

Today, February 22, marks the 10th anniversary of milestone legislation that launched  FirstNet for public safety. In the years following the terrorist attacks, public safety from across all disciplines, including 9-1-1, EMS, fire service and law enforcement, joined together to advocate for their own high-speed broadband network.

In 2012, Congress enacted a law to create the First Responder Network Authority within the Department of Commerce to ensure the building, deployment and operation of FirstNet – America’s only nationwide public safety broadband network. Since then FirstNet Authority has developed the network in collaboration with the public safety community. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Michigan Gives $7.5m to Ford for Corktown Innovation District

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Michigan Gives $7.5m to Ford for Corktown Innovation District - Halloween 2018

The goblins of the past are becoming a celebration of the future…

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) today approved $7.5 million in funding to Ford Motor Co. for new programs that “accelerate economic development, new technology activation, workforce training, and community engagement in the 30-acre Michigan Central Innovation District in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.”

The grant has a three-year term with the ability to allocate additional funds in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 – if agreed-upon grant milestones are met, including a requirement that it create at least 2,500 non-Ford jobs within the district. (AutoInformed on: Ford Testing Autonomous Delivery of Food in Detroit; Ford Opens Corktown Station to Community as Mustang puts Camaro and GM on Trailer During Woodward Dream Cruise; Ford Motor in Corktown and Newlab Working on – What Else – Vehicle Connectivity, Autonomy and Electrification) Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in economy, mobility company, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aston Martin Adds Jobs to Build DBX707 SUVS in Wales

Posted on 21 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Aston Martin Adds Jobs to Build DBX707 SUVS in Wales

The DBX707’s 0-62mph acceleration time is 3.3 seconds, claims Aston.

Aston Martin said today that it is creating more than 100 jobs at its St Athan site in Wales following the launch of its new DBX707 model, for the moment the world’s most powerful luxury SUV. DBX707 will enter full production later this quarter.

“Our DBX SUV is the first Welsh-built production car for nearly 50 years and these new positions are an opportunity to join a team delivering our truly incredible new DBX707 derivative, which is setting new benchmarks for performance in the luxury segment,” said Tobias Moers, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.
 Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BWT Alpine F1 Team Reveals Its 2022 A522 Contender

Posted on 21 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BWT Alpine F1 Team Reveals Its 2022 A522 ContenderThe BWT Alpine F1 Team revealed its contender for the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship today in what is now the Renault Group hometown, Paris. That’s France not Texas. During 2022, Alpine remains active in motorsports with a presence at Formula 1, the Hypercar class, the FIA R-GT and other competitions such as the Alpine Elf Europa Cup. With regulations changing for the new Formula One season, the Alpine F1 Team plans to channel the encouraging initial results from the Alonso‑Ocon pairing in 2021. (AutoInformed: Renault Sport Cars Becomes Alpine Cars; Alpine 2021 – Year One Sales Increase on a Minuscule Base)

Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo and Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi showed the A522 prior to what is, arguably – turbo era?, the largest change in regulations in Formula 1’s 72-year history The A522 livery is a combination of the historic blue of Alpine and pink hues of title partner BWT. Luca de Meo and Laurent Rossi were joined on stage by new Formula 1 Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer.

The team confirmed single race winner Esteban Ocon and two-time World Drivers’ Champion Fernando Alonso will drive for a second consecutive season. Oscar Piastri is the team’s Reserve Driver in 2022 after his Formula 2 title last year and subsequent ascension from the Alpine Academy. (Esteban Ocon joins Renault F1 Team. Nico Hulkenberg?) Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in marketing, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hagerty International Links with UK’s Manor Park Classics

Posted on 21 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hagerty International Links with UK’s Manor Park Classics

Rather informal old chap compared to bespoke Sotheby’s raiments.

Hagerty International* today announced a new partnership with Manor Park Classics, a Cheshire-based auction house in North West England that is close to the Oulton Park track, er circuit. As part of the agreement, Hagerty will have a “branded and physical presence” at 6 auctions planned for 2022, as well as offering insurance incentives to clients who purchase a vehicle via Manor Park Classic auctions, sales, and events.

“Both parties have an exciting range of experiences, sales and activities planned for 2022 making this partnership both energetic and relevant, and we look forward to working together throughout the year ahead,” said Mark Roper, Managing Director for Hagerty International. (AutoInformed: Hagerty Debuts as a Publicly Traded NYSE Company) Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Press Release’ EVs – Volta Trucks Raises €230M

Posted on 21 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Press Release EVs - Volta Trucks Raises €230M Capital Funding

The capital will fund all engineering and operations until after the start of production.

Volta Trucks, an ambitious startup in Stockholm, Sweden that claims it will become a full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services provider, today announced the conclusion of its Series C funding round with a €230 million capital obtained. The funding was led by New York-based Luxor Capital, while initial seed investor, Byggmästare Anders J Ahlström of Stockholm, added to its holding in the company. Previous Series B investor, Agility, a provider of supply chain services also joined the funding appeal. (AutoInformed –  Volta Trucks Fully-Electric Commercial Zero to Debut in Italy)

Volta is claiming a “Europe-first principles within its Road-to-Zero Emissions strategy, with Volta Trucks set to launch four full-electric commercial vehicles and increase its projected sales volumes to more than 27,000 by 2025.” Given the competition from existing truck makers, this is ambitious – and only a promise until production begins. Following an order of electric trucks from DB Schenker in late 2021, pre-orders for the Volta Zero now exceed 5,000 vehicles, with a value of more than €1.2 billion, Volta claims. (AutoInformed- Production Starts on Prototype Volta Electric Truck) Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in electric vehicles, global warming, mobility company, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Majorities of Americans Say Union Membership Decline is Bad

Posted on 20 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed on Majorities of Americans Say Union Membership Decline is Bad for Country

Click to Enlarge.

Majorities of Americans continue to see the long-term decline in the share of workers represented by unions as a bad thing for both the country and working people in the United States, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in January 2022. The share of U.S. workers who belong to a union has fallen since 1983, when 20% of American workers were union members. In 2021 10.3% of U.S. workers were in a union. Views of the impact of the decline in union membership on the country and working people have changed little since last year.

 “In the survey, 58% of U.S. adults say the large reduction over the past several decades in the percentage of workers who are represented by unions has been somewhat or very bad for the country, while 61% say this has been bad for working people,” said Ted Van Green* of Pew Research. ( AutoInformed: Labor Day – Majorities of Americans Say Unions Good) Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in labor issues, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Power Plants Continue to Befoul Our Air During 2021

Posted on 18 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Power Plants Continue to Befoul the Air During 2021The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released publicly available, annual data on 2021 emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and mercury from power plants in the lower 48 states. Emissions in 2021 were higher than 2020, EPA said because of  a rebound in coal-fired generation as natural gas prices and energy demand increased. Worse emissions increased at rates much higher than the demand for electricity.

Compared to 2020, the 2021 data show a 6% increase in NOx emissions, a 20% increase in SO2  emissions, a 7% increase in CO2 emissions, and a 13% increase in mercury emissions. Ozone season (May 1 to September 30) NOX  emissions increased by 5%. Overall, based on the first 11 months of 2021, electricity demand only increased by 3% compared to 2020. Compared to 2019, 2021 emissions fell between 3% and 11%, reflecting a longer trend of decreasing annual emissions.  Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in energy, environment, global warming | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Global Light Vehicle Sales Improved in January 2022

Posted on 18 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Global Light Vehicle Sales Improved in January 2022

Click to Enlarge.

The Global Light Vehicle selling rate improved to 84 mn units/year in January of  2022, up 3% year-over-year, according to consultancy LMC Automotive. Nonetheless, LMC noted that supply chain issues remain the “key headwind for demand, though last month also saw the rapid spread of Omicron deal a blow to some potential market activity.

“Reports of an improving supply environment in some markets, including China, means the worst of the crisis is likely over, it remains the key headwind to sales during 2022, overshadowing concerns over inflation and a more subdued economic outlook.” Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in economy, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Motor to Make Sweeping Organizational Changes in April to Survive and Sustain Itself as a Mobility Company

Posted on 18 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Co. today in Japan announced sweeping organizational changes on 1April 2022 that it says will “transform itself into a mobility company focused on services and solutions that can achieve new growth and new value creation.” It is trying to realize its announced target of carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050.

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Honda Motor to Make Sweeping Organizational Changes in April to Sustain itself as a Mobility Company

Click to Enlarge.

Translation: The changes are needed to survive the electrification business, new business, and combined solution business, which will require bolstering the development of software, as well as the strengthening the development of core electrification technologies. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, global warming, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Redwood, Ford, Volvo Recycling EV Batteries from California

Posted on 17 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Redwood Materials, Ford, Volvo start Recycling EV Batteries from California

California is the home of the largest existing fleet of EVs in the US. It’s also the conscience of America on treating our planet with respect.

Redwood, an obscure startup company in Carson City, Nevada led by the former Tesla chief technology officer J.B. Straubel, said today it is launching a pilot electric vehicle battery-recycling program in California, to establish a recovery system that is “efficient, safe and effective for end-of-life hybrid and electric vehicle battery packs.”

Ford Motor Company and Volvo Cars are the first automakers to directly support the program, but Redwood will accept all lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in the state and allow other automakers to join the program. Notably absent today is Honda, which started recycling rare-earth metals from batteries a decade ago, as well as Volkswagen Group, General Motors and others. (Ford – EVs Present Environmental, Human Rights Issues) Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment